I can't seem to come to terms with my post-baby body

[HollyFP]

It's been almost 6 months since I had DD, she is the most amazing little person and I've loved these first 6 months (well, not counting sleepless nights!).

I somehow put on more weight than I realised during pregnancy, and I can't seem to shift it. I am 5'3 and used to be a size 8-10. Now I'm lucky if size 14 things fit. My stomach is like a huge deflated balloon, and still looks as if I'm 4 months pregnant. Every part of me seems to be clinging on to baby weight. I'm still EBF, and had hoped that this would help lose weight, but it hasn't seemed to have any effect at all (not that that's the reason I'm bf of course).

I don't feel like this is my body.

I know I have a beautiful DD to show for it, but that almost makes me even more :( to be having these feelings. I don't want her to grow up with me hating the body she was part of.

I really want to do something positive about this, but I have no idea where to start. Losing the baby belly would be the biggest help I think.

wasn't sure where to post this...

[GingerbreadGiraffe]

Hi
Hang in there. 6 months is stil really early- although it may not feel it. Sometimes breastfeeding can cause weight to be retained.

I was a size 10 before pregnancy and afterwards (also exclusive BFing) I held an extra stone until DD was 8 months - which was when I started dropping down on the breastfeeding. The weight fell off me and I went to lower than i was pre pregnancy! It was truely marvellous. it was just in time to get back into my work clothes!

I think for me, since I was relatively slim - my body must have needed to retain fat to help support breast feeding.

all the best

[maktaitai]

Ah, it's tough. It is really hard to lose, but like gingerbread says, 6 months is early, early days.

Sorry to ask this, but how old are you? Just that I didn't have ds until I was 35, and my body was already ruined long before he arrived whereas it sounds like you have always had a great figure.

I hope that in a few months you feel far more like yourself.

[bamboobutton]

i am exactly the same as you, height, size, tummy shape.

i find spanx really helps with my confidence as i don't feel so jellyish and clothes fit a bit better.

im waiting until dd sleeps a bit better and i have a bit more energy and then i am starting the 30 day shred fitness dvd.

[HollyFP]

I'm 30, although don't feel it :)

I really want to continue bf for as long as DD wants, but want to make sure my head is happy to continue too.

Gingerbread that's a really nice way of thinking about it (your last sentence) - thanks for helping me see this.

[GingerbreadGiraffe]

:) Glad it helped Holly

FWIW, i really do empathsise. I felt dreadful about my body during that period of having the extra stone. I look at holiday photos from when DD was 6months I looked (relativley huge).

Breastfeeding hormones also make your muscles relax a lot so that doesnt help the abdominal muscles to tighten up again.

For reference, I went to 2 feeds a day at 9months (went back to work) then did that til DD was 14mths (last april). It wasnt until then that my body started to go back to normal. Ribcage tucked back in (went from a 36 bra to a 34 again), and I looked like me again.

I think it was a combination of time and the hormones dropping.

I wish I could say the same about my pelvic floor! :)

I would do it all again though- Breastfeed as long as possible- was a great experience for me.

[HollyFP]

:) Thanks, hearing this has helped.

I know it's such a massive thing, being pregnant, giving birth, bf etc - I wasn't prepared for the huge physical and emotional change. It probably doesn't help that a lot of my nct friends seem to be the same shape as they were pre-baby!

[GingerbreadGiraffe]

Yeah they might look the same, but they probably wee themselves everytime they sneeze!!

[GingerbreadGiraffe]

Oh, and since being pregnant, giving birth etc, I've wondered why no one warns about the massive emotional shock/ body changes etc.

Everyone talks about lack of sleep but not the other stuff!

[HollyFP]

Totally agree. For me, physical and emotional changes were/are far more significant than lack of sleep.